Make Your Home Safety Resolutions for 2023
Cop Talk: Safety Advice from a Suburban Beat Cop
Make Your Home Safety Resolutions for 2023
When you are making New Year resolutions resolve to make sure that your home and family are safe. Here are some tips from retired North Shore police officer John Good, to protect your home.
1. Install an alarm
It seems intuitive to have an alarm installed in your home, but according to Alarms.org: "Burglars are most attracted to homes that do not have home security systems, but only 17% of houses have a system in place. Homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized. Ninety-five percent of all home invasions require some sort of forceful entry, be that breaking a window, picking a lock, or kicking in a door."
Once your alarm system is installed, add a security sign in your front yard, as well as security system stickers on your windows. Burglars will actually look through windows to identify motion detectors in the residence. Consequently, hanging fake alarm company signs, or stickers on your front door, without an actual alarm system is worthless.
2. Install motion detector lighting
Darkness is a thief's friend, so by installing motion detector lighting, the last thing a thief wants to experience is finding themselves in a spotlight. Installing motion detector flood lights on the front, back and sides of your home - particularly in places where it would be easy to hide.
3. Put interior lights and TVs on timers
Thieves are less likely to attempt a break-in if they think someone is home. So, while you are away, set light timers near window, and program a timer on your television to shut on and off. You can also control and monitor your lights and TV right from your smartphone. Or for a lower tech solution, As a last resort, leave a radio playing loud enough, for potential burglars to hear. Any unknown speaking from the interior of the home, is a proven deterrent.
4. Install a video doorbell
As a first attempt to determine if anyone is home, thieves will ring the doorbell to see if anyone responds. Consider installing a smart doorbell that allows you to see, hear and speak to the visitor from anywhere in the world.
5. Put a temporary hold on mail and newspaper deliveries
If you plan to be away from home for an extended period, put a temporary hold on newspaper deliveries and your mail. It seems an easy thing to do, but many people forget this when they go on vacation. If you forget, notify a neighbor to keep an eye on your home and collect accumulating newspapers and mail.
In winter, make sure your driveway and sidewalk are shoveled to send a message that the homeowner is present.
John Good, is a Schaumburg resident and a retired 41-year veteran of a suburban Chicago police department, and the author of "Blood on the Badge."